China interested in Sask. uranium, Calvert says
Last Updated Oct 25 2005 06:17 PM CDT
CBC News
Premier Lorne Calvert says China is interested in Saskatchewan's uranium, although Ottawa sets the rules about where uranium can be exported.
"We have not sold any uranium to China, but obviously that is of significant interest to the Chinese – to the Chinese energy future," Calvert said in a media call from Beijing Tuesday. He added that Canada is bound by the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
China plans to build dozens of nuclear power plants over the next 10 to 15 years.
Calvert and Industry Minister Eric Cline are on an Oct. 17-29 trade mission that's taking them to China, Japan and other Asian countries.
Calvert said the rapidly growing economy in China makes it a strong market for Saskatchewan's potash, forestry and energy industries.
Although Calvert didn't emphasize uranium, the China trip comes some 10 months after federal officials said Canada and China have agreed to work together in the energy sector, including "the uranium resources field."
Under that agreement, the two countries are supposed to encourage Canadian and Chinese enterprises to develop commercial partnerships.
Calverrt said Cline had met with people from the Chinese nuclear industry.
On the topic of potential Chinese investment in Saskatchewan's uranium industry, Calvert said "any investment in our province around uranium is subject to all of our own environmental and occupational health and safety regulations and law."
Calvert's next stop on the Asia trip is Tokyo, while Cline travels to Kazakhstan.
Team Saskatchewan plans to meet with numerous trade and industry groups, include the Overseas Uranium Resources Development, Japan-Canada Uranium Company Ltd. and uranium companies, a news release from the Saskatchewan government said.
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